It’s been quite the last few weeks for minor league forward Adam Helewka. Traded from the Nashville Predators to the New Jersey Devils just after the draft, the 23-year old then saw his contract terminated a few days later. Today, Barys Astana in the KHL announced they have signed him to a one-year deal, meaning he’ll take his talents overseas for the 2019-20 season.
It wasn’t the first time Helewka had been traded in his young career. Originally a draft pick of the San Jose Sharks, he would play two seasons in their minor league system before finding himself on the way to the Arizona Coyotes in the summer of 2018. Then a few weeks before the most recent trade deadline, the young forward was on the move again, this time to the Predators. Despite that midseason move, Helewka managed to post his best professional season with 50 points in 65 games in the AHL.
After such turmoil in North America, a trip overseas may do wonders for the former WHL offensive star. He’ll get a chance to play in the KHL and prove that he can compete at a high level, hopefully earning another NHL deal one day. Because of the termination, the Devils will not retain his negotiating rights.